Nepal Recognizes First Multicultural Same-Sex Marriage with Backing of US Embassy
The LGBTQ+ community at Nepal’s annual pride parade held this year in Kathmandu, Nepal on Aug. 20, 2024 (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha).
Nepal registered the nation’s first legal same-sex marriage between citizens of different countries on Oct. 6, 2024. The union took place in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, and was between Nepali citizen Prajit Budhathoki and US national Joey Foster Ellis. The marriage was backed by the Nepali government after the legalization of same-sex marriage in November 2023, as well as the US Embassy in Nepal.
Nepal recognized its first LGBTQ+ union on Nov. 29, 2023 between Maya Gurung, who identifies as trans, and Surendra Pandey. This comes after being rejected twice by the country after applying for a marriage license. Nepal had a recent supreme court ruling for temporary allowances regarding same-sex or non-traditional couples, granting the couple permission to obtain the marriage license. As for this moment, the ruling is temporary and waiting on a final decision by the supreme court. Budhathoki and Ellis’ marriage is actually considered the seventh openly queer marriage to be legally registered in the country since that ruling.
Advocacy in Nepal for the recognition and legalization of queer marriages has been a drawn out issue. As mentioned, Gurung and Pandey applied for their marriage license twice, first with the Kathmandu District court, and next with the Patan High Court. According to the Human Rights Watch, such lengths make equality for couples in Nepal extremely inaccessible for most citizens. Something that has aided Budhathoki and Ellis, and likely the six preceding queer couples backing from the US Embassy in Nepal to support same-sex marriage, and by extension, US support to the country as a whole.
Surendra Panday and Maya Gurung pictured with their approved marriage certificate after the Nepali Supreme Court allowed for a temporary registration of same-sex couples on Nov. 29, 2023 (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha).
According to The Times of India, the US Embassy issued their congratulations to the couple, stating that this represents a giant step for LGBTQ+ rights in Nepal. Historically, the US has maintained good and close ties with Nepal, especially considering the country’s dominating neighbors, China and India. Per the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement, NIICE, one of the US’ primary relations to Nepal was ensuring inclusive growth and furthering their governance as a democratic state. President Joe Biden has also made it clear that the US is in a pursuit to advance LGBTQ+ human rights around the world, furthering the US’ motive in endorsing Budhathoki and Ellis’ relationship.
Nepal is one of the leading countries in Asia to support marriage equality, coming in only second to Taiwan in implementing protective and progressive laws for LGBTQ+ citizens. Furthermore, the country elected Asia’s first openly gay politician in 2008, followed by constitutional protection for LGBTQ+ people in 2015. Nepal’s neighbors have taken regressive measures in recent years, for instance the 2023 closure of China’s Beijing LGBTQ+ center and India’s refusal to legalize same-sex marriage without parliament participation. Situated right in the middle of China and India, Nepal’s stark progression regarding equal rights fosters more safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, showing a promising future for the country’s place in an evolving global landscape that prioritizes progress.